brandish
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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As someone who has hyper-specific playlists to regulate my moods, I appreciate that whether you want to party, chill outside or brandish your middle finger to the world, the Salon DJ Collective has you covered.
From Salon ● Jun. 6, 2026
He didn’t brandish it as a symbol or treat the moment like a breakthrough to be celebrated.
From Slate ● Jan. 3, 2026
He confirms that he’s been chipping away at a debut LP, which will brandish a more “fast and punchy” rock sound that recall his days playing basement shows.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2025
People on social media brandish gold-flecked pans and nuggets while showing off their equipment, ranging from old-fashioned picks to gold-separating sluice boxes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2025
Crossing Fourteenth Street, an unmedicated psychotic would brandish a toilet brush, his mouth moving wordlessly as, in my head, the young people of France requested a table with a view of the fountain.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
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Georginio Rutter takes out Alex Matos in an aerial challenge and the referee brandishes his yellow card.
From BBC ● Mar. 1, 2024
In “Violet,” her directorial debut, Justine Bateman brandishes a potpourri of cinematic tricks — voice-overs, overlaid text — to delve into the anxious psyche of a film production executive played by Olivia Munn.
From New York Times ● Mar. 14, 2022
Adia Barnes brandishes honesty like a feather, sharp enough at the tip to make a point, soft around the edges to soothe the ego.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 12, 2022
Notice how Hussman brandishes the shield of objectivity in making the case for his own perspective:
From Washington Post ● Jul. 1, 2021
She picks up a chopstick and brandishes it as a sword.
From "Every Day" by David Levithan
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As Lewis left court, the family of Ross brandished a framed photograph the dead woman, and shouted at him: "Darcy Ross, remember her name."
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
They brandished the Mexican flag seemingly everywhere: on banners, painted on cheeks, emblazoned on Jaimes’ tube top.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
And unlike Michael Drejka, she brandished her gun without discharging it.
From Slate ● Jun. 4, 2026
Kassis brandished his credentials as President Assad’s cousin—which a photographed ID found on his phone after his arrest confirmed—and showed selfies posing with Syrian generals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 28, 2026
Shanti brandished a pastel pump for everyone to see before placing it in the nude-fabric basket.
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
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“You need to deal with what you wear and wear it comfortably,” the 35-year-old teacher told AFP, brandishing a sword and wearing blood-red contact lenses.
From Barron's ● Aug. 1, 2026
At St. Göran’s, staff brandishing iPad minis closely track patient data while digital systems monitor costs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026
“It’s hard to argue that brandishing a firearm during a traffic misunderstanding is either allowed by federal law or necessary and proper for fulfilling ICE’s duties,” he said.
From Slate ● Apr. 17, 2026
“I brought a cupcake — vegan vanilla. Bet it tastes pretty rancid,” Lanier said during closings, brandishing the baked good during an extended metaphor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2026
There were several breakages because I was brandishing the sword so clumsily.
From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke
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Vocabulary lists containing brandish
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